Just posted this same question but accidently it went to the Latin America forum. So once again, we're a Canadian family going to Costa Rica in 5 days. I would like to know if Canadian bank cards (RBC) work in the ATMs. We will be bringing US$ with us and our credit cards. I have heard that travelers's cheques are not convenient?? We will be staying at Montana de Fuego in Arenal and in Tamarindo. And one more question for the ladies: I don't want to carry a purse or wallet, so any suggestions for something to carry a passport, money and credit cards. Unfortunately, the resort we're staying at in Tamarindo has had some bad reviews about theft from the rooms and even inroom safes. I feel we will need to keep our valuables on us at all times.

All posts go to a general Latin America forum (there is no separate one for Costa Rica).

You could use either a neck pouch or a waist money belt as the normal precautious way to carry passport, money, credit cards. You can find these at any luggage or travel store or many mail order places online like TravelSmith.

Per your other thread, if you are bringing US dollars, do NOT bring 100's. I have never been to Costa Rica but recently in Hawaii I was even having trouble cashing $50 bills. Bring it in $20's or smaller.

I think your Canadian CC's will work but most will agree that Visa cards with access to the "+" system work best at ATMs in CR. Travellers checks can be cashed at banks for a small fee; your hotel will often cash them as well. We like the little pouches you hang around your neck for passports, CC's and other valuables.Good luck and have fun!

We like the money belts that are sold on the Rick Steves web-site...You can wear them around your waist under your clothes, and we used them in Italy. However, keep in mind that the idea of a money belt is that nobody knows where you have your money, so you need to find someplace private and discreet to take out some money when you need to purchase something.

I also really like some of the clothes I bought from Tilley's on-line, which have a zippered security pocket which flips inside of your shorts/skirt/capri pants, and you can pull the pocket out when you need to get something out.

However, when you keep your passport next to your body it gets wet from body sweat, and can damage the passport. You'll have to figure out how to protect your passport from moisture.

You can use a purse which has a leather strap which you wear cross-wise across the front of your body and you keep the purse zipped shut; a small purse which stays close to your body. I used this in Italy including in crowds and train stations, but I didn't ever put too much cash in it at once, and I didn't keep my credit cards or passport in it either.

Don't put anything of value in a backpack that you are wearing.

Make copies from your important papers and carry only a copy of your passport . The police don´t like it, but they will accept it.
Saludos
costaklaus - www.costaricaweb.de

Hola, Visa credit cards were widely accepted,60 to 70%,but sometimes with a 7% surcharge. The only ATM's that we got to work on regular basis were those connected to Cirrus. I would not count on them as your only source. We used travelers checks and never had a problem anywhere. On US cash, bring nothing bigger than a $20 and make sure they are in good condition. We had 1 with a 1/2" tear and no one would accept it because it was "broken". And as far as the resort in Tamarindo goes, Why stay in a place where you think you'll get ripped off?Just a thought. Best of luck. Pura Vida, Phil